The Heads (British band)

This article is about the UK psychedelic rock band. For the US-based offshoot of Talking Heads, see Talking Heads post-breakup. For the slightly earlier Bristol rock band see Head (band)

The Heads are an English psychedelic rock band formed in Bristol, England in 1990. They have released around 20 full length albums (including live albums, patchworks, and collaborations), numerous EPs and singles. They recorded 3 Peel Sessions between 1995 and 1999.

Personnel

History

Originally formed in 1990 by Hugo Morgan, Simon Price and Dave Spencer (guitar) from the remnants of Bristol bands Quinton and The Spasmodics respectively. They were joined by Wayne Maskell a few months later and played music somewhat influenced by Loop, Spacemen 3 and The Stooges. This line up lasted for 2 years, playing support slots to bands such as Babes in Toyland and Swervedriver, but without any record releases (although an early version of Spliff Riff appeared on the Sessions 1 7" released by Rocket records in 1999).

After a few months with a guitarist called Jim, who then left to be replaced by Paul Allen (aka ROCKPROF) in 1993, the band took a slightly more rock route more inspired by bands such as Monster Magnet. Their first single was released in 1994, entitled The QUAD EP. This has become a collectors item with its Russ Meyer inspired sleeve and initial copies including a packet of cigarette papers with the name of the band printed on the front.

The band recorded 3 Peel Sessions between 1995 and 1999 as well as a session for Mark Radcliffe.

Discography

Albums

CD/LP – LP 1000 copies, 100 copies came with an insert, also, some inserts were personalised/doodled on by the band.

CD – Compilation of two 10"s and two split 7"s.

CD/LP – 2xLP 1000 copies.

CD/LP – 2xLP 1000 copies.

CD/LP – CD 1st edition (on Rooster) in sleeve 100 copies, 2nd edition (on Rooster) in jewel case 60 copies, 3rd edition (on Sweet Nothing) 1000 copies. LP on Rocket Recordings, 500 copies, light blue coloured vinyl issued with 3 different silk-screened covers; blue & red, red & white, blue & white. These covers were not pressed in equal amounts, the blue & white and the red & white were the rarer editions. The blue & white being the rarest with 30+/- copies made.

CD/LP – CD Originally a pressing of just 33 copies on black cds in a flipback cover, inside a Rooster outer bag. 2nd CD edition jewel case (on Rooster) 60(100?)copies pressed. LP on Invada Records, 1st pressing on black vinyl 500 copies (100 copies came with a numbered insert). 2nd pressing on blue vinyl 500 copies.

CD/LP – 2xLP on Rocket & Invada Records 1000 copies. CD released in UK on Invada Records has an orange and silver cover, whilst the US version on Alternative Tentacles is purple and silver.

CD/LP – CD Originally 100 numbered copies in card sleeve. CD 2nd edition in jewel case, 30 numbered copies (both on Rooster in 2005). 2xLP 500 copies pink/red vinyl (on Invada in 2006). CD 3rd edition 1000 copies (on Rooster in 2007).

CD – 100 numbered copies in card sleeve. 2nd edition (Stoned From The Underground Special Edition 7/7/7) 30 numbered copies in card sleeve inside a plastic Rooster outer bag with sticker on the front.

CD – 100 numbered copies in card sleeve. 2nd edition (Stoned From The Underground Special Edition 7/7/7) 30 numbered copies in card sleeve inside a plastic Rooster outer bag with sticker on the front.

CD – 1st edition 100 numbered copies in blue card sleeve. 2nd edition (Roadburn Edition) 30 numbered copies in orange card sleeve. 3rd edition (Rocket Anniversary Edition) 30 numbered copies in yellow card sleeve.

CD – 100 (60?) copies, half of them came in Chicken Slide paper bags...

CD – 1st edition 100 numbered copies. 2nd edition ("World Tour Edition"!), same cover as the 1st edition but in inverted blue and red colours, <100 copies.

CD/LP – CD 1st edition gatefold sleeve, 200 numbered copies, released in 2008. CD 2nd edition (Stoned Hand of Doom Edition 16 May 2009), 30 copies(?). 2xLP 500 copies.

2xCD – 1st edition gatefold sleeve 100 numbered copies. 2xCD 2nd edition card sleeve, 100 (150?) copies.

CD – 1st edition card sleeve, 150 numbered copies, first 30 copies have a purple back cover and label.

CD – Recorded during their support set for Mudhoney in October 2009. 150 copies, first 50 copies came in a brown paper bag with 'Live at the Koko' stamped on.

2xCD – Remastered edition, includes Peel Sessions and out-takes.

CD – 150 numbered copies, first 50 copies came in a brown paper bag with a spiral print.

CD – 150 numbered copies, first 100 copies came in a paper bag with Quad/Ultravixen print.

CD – 1st edition, 88 numbered copies. 2nd edition, front/back covers reversed, 100 copies.

CD – 100 numbered copies. Gatefold sleeve.

2CD Limited Edition.CD 2 – A collection of recordings from The Heads' rehearsal room.

Promo editions omitted. There may also be a few other editions missing but generally most are here.

The Heads have released numerous editions of their albums, in extremely limited quantities – usually 2 or 3 editions with altered artwork or sleeves and usually less than 100 copies, not to mention rarer promo editions (5 to 10 copies). This trend seems to have begun with the original release of "33" – so called because of the 33 copies they pressed.

The band also take it in turns to produce each release. i.e. Everybody Knows We Got Nowhere was designed by Simon. Irrepressible was designed by Hugo. Time in Space was designed by Wayne and Vertigo Swill was designed by Paul. A friend of the band, Johnny O, also sometimes lends a hand in designing the sleeves and covers.

As a result of these limited pressings and altered sleeves the band have managed to create a niche market, where completists can end up paying more than 20 times the original price for a cd – usually via eBay.

See also

External links

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